Former Manchester United favourite BLASTS manager Louis van Gaal

The Brazilian full-back, who ended his six-and-a-half year stay with the Old Trafford outfit last month as he joined Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyonnias, questioned if his nationality was the reason behind van Gaal’s apparent dislike for him:

“I know this history that he [van Gaal] doesn’t like Brazilians, but I can’t say, ‘oh, he doesn’t like Brazilians,” the defender said.

“I know that he didn’t like me, but if that’s because I’m Brazilian, I don’t know,” Rafael added.

The 25-year-old found first-team opportunities limited last season and he made just 10 appearances in the Premier League as a number of injuries halted his progress and was eventually replaced as the club’s regular right-back by Antonio Valencia.

With the arrival of Italian international defender Matteo Darmian at the club earlier in the summer, it became clear that Rafael was surplus to requirements for the Red Devils and he will now be hoping to get his career back on track with last season’s runners-up in France.